22-05-2025
Concerns fire service can't keep people safe
There are concerns a fire service cannot keep people safe from fires and other risks, a report has found.
The report by HM Inspector of Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) into South Wales Fire Service questioned the efficacy of the service in consistently identifying, prioritising and mitigate risks for the public.
It was called for by the service's new commissioners after a series of damning independent reviews found sexual harrassment and misogynistic behaviour within the service.
Fin Monahan, chief fire officer, described the findings as a "hard read" but assured colleagues there is a "robust" plan in place for dealing with the recommendations.
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The HMICFRS inspector, Roy Wilsher, said the service did not have up-to-date risk information to protect both the public and firefighters.
The report also found it needed to "be more effective in tackling bullying, harassment and discrimination" following criticisms of its workplace culture identified in a previous review.
It found one in six staff surveyed said they'd felt bullied or harassed at work, or discriminated against, and the number of disciplinary actions taken had doubled in two years.
The fire service was taken over by the Welsh government in February 2024 after it was found to have a culture of sexual harassment and misogyny.
Mr Wilsher concluded by saying: "I don't underestimate how much improvement is needed".
He added he was encouraged by the commitment shown by the chief fire officer and commissioners to make improvements through developing a "transformation programme".
